Millions of viewers across the nation have been enjoying the new series of Planet Earth but you’re not alone if you’ve been aching to see it in glorious 4K resolution. In what the BBC is calling an ‘important step’ towards future Ultra HD streaming, you can now try it for yourself until early next year. Sadly you can’t watch the entire Planet Earth II series in 4K as the trail is a four minute long clip showing a jaguar emerging from the shadows to stalk its prey and the effect of rain dropping on tiny animals. Watch the RHS Chelsea Flow Show 2017 online. To watch Planet Earth 2 in 4K you’ll need a TV with, surprisingly an Ultra HD resolution plus HDR also. You can see a full list of compatible TV models at the bottom. If you have one, load up the built-on iPlayer app and you should see the prompt. The BBC says central to the trial is HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), which is a form of HDR and integral to the future of Ultra HD streaming. The firm says the trial will help it “better understand how the technology affects existing infrastructure and workflows” as well as “obstacles and challenges to streaming full length programmes.” What is HLG? Well it supposedly takes things a step further by providing better quality pixels. It works by “enabling images to be shown in extremely high contrast. This provides greater sharpness, extended detail in the shadows and dark areas of the picture, a wider range of colours, and more natural and brighter highlights and mirror-like reflections.” BBC iPlayer 4K compatible TVs (via Wired): Panasonic, CX680 Series, CX700 series, CR730 series, CX800 series, CR852 series, CZ950 Series, DX902 Series (65,58,50), DR852 series (65,55), DX802 series (58,50), DX750 series (65,58,50), Dx720 series (58, 50), DX700 Series (58,50), DX680 Series (55,49,40) and DX650 series (55,49,40). Read next: Best TVs 2016/2017. Tech Advisor’s Reviews Editor, Chris has been reviewing all kinds of tech for over 10 years and specialises in audio. He also covers a range of topics including home entertainment, phones, laptops, tablets and more.
